Color postcards show pre-earthquake life in San Francisco

By Katie Dowd

on September 2, 2016 3:50 AM

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Cliff House from Sutro Heights.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Cliff House from Sutro Heights.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Cliff... Photo-10855142.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the luxurious interior lobby of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the luxurious interior lobby of the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the luxurious... Photo-10855119.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows Market Street in San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake and fire.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows Market Street in San Francisco before the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows Market Street... Photo-10855130.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the buffalo of Golden Gate Park. The first buffalo were brought to the park in 1899 and three more were added from Yellowstone in 1905.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the buffalo of Golden Gate Park. The first buffalo were brought to the park in 1899 and three more were added from Yellowstone in 1905.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the buffalo... Photo-10855115.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows a sailboat at sunset in San Francisco.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows a sailboat at sunset in San Francisco.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows a sailboat at... Photo-10855150.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company gives a look down Market Street before the 1906 earthquake and fire.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company gives a look down Market Street before the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company gives a look down... Photo-10855126.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Hall of Justice in Portsmouth Square. The beautiful building burned down during the 1906 earthquake and fire.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Hall of Justice in Portsmouth Square. The beautiful building burned down during the 1906 earthquake and fire.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Hall of... Photo-10855118.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows an ornate Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. "I tried to find a card that was different from any that you had. I wonder if I have succeeded," someone wrote on it.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows an ornate Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. "I tried to find a card that was different from any that you had. I wonder if I have succeeded," someone wrote

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows an ornate... Photo-10855128.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company that shows an opium den in San Francisco.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company that shows an opium den in San Francisco.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company that shows an opium... Photo-10855151.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company depicting the Cliff House at night.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company depicting the Cliff House at night.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company depicting the Cliff... Photo-10855153.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park. "This is where I drink tea," someone wrote on the postcard.

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park. "This is where I drink tea," someone wrote on the postcard.

Photo: From The New York Public Library

A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company shows the Japanese... Photo-10855141.134275 - SFGate

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A postcard from the Detroit Publishing Company showing the original de Young Museum building. It was originally housed in the Egyptian-themed Fine Arts Building left over from the California Midwinter International Exposition in 1894.